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By Sharron Hudson, Colonel
Have you ever been so fearful of “what might happen” that you’ve missed opportunities? Perhaps you have missed an opportunity to meet someone significant or a chance to minister to someone in need of Christ’s love. I think we all can look back occasionally with some regret upon realizing that we have missed an opportunity because of fear.
During a recent Spiritual Day at Crestmont, I shared with the cadets my “almost” missed opportunity. Colonel Dave and I were asked to travel to India South Eastern Territory to participate in their congress and officers’ councils.
You might have said, “What a fantastic opportunity!” It would be an adventure to go to a country where so few Westerners have been able to travel. At first, I did think this would be an adventure—but then I allowed fear to invade my thoughts. When our visas did not immediately come through, I was somewhat relieved and said, “Well, if the Lord wants us to go then we’ll get our visas.” When we did receive them, did this allay my fears? No!
What caused this fear? Was I afraid of the flight through Dubai into India? Was I afraid of what might happen when I got there? Was I afraid that we would get sick? All of the above and more! But what, or should I say, who, was really causing these fears and why?
At other times in my life I have known that Satan has not wanted me to be somewhere or say something to another because he knew that the result would be encouragement, healing, increased faith or salvation from the Lord. In the movie The Passion, Satan is in the garden with Jesus the night before he was crucified, suggesting fear and doubt of God’s plan. Why? Satan knew that he would be defeated if Jesus fulfilled his earthly destiny.
The Apostle Paul certainly had much to fear in his ministry to the Gentiles—but he pressed on. He wrote these words to the Colossians while he was in chains: Also pray for us that God will give us an opportunity to tell people his message. Pray that we can preach the secret that God has made known about Christ. This is why I am in prison (Col. 4:3). Even from inside the prison walls, Paul was seeking a way to preach the message of God’s love and forgiveness.
If I had not gone to India South Eastern Territory, I would have missed the opportunity to meet some beautiful people, to see my ICO (International College for Officers) session mate again and to meet his family, to have Major Caroline, my translator, say that she rededicated her call to be an officer because of what was said—to have blessed memories of humbly serving the Lord and being obedient to his word.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation,
by prayers and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus
(Phil. 4:6,7).
